Friday, August 9, 2013

Top Ten Most Wanted Wii U Games (2013 Edition)

If you have owned a Wii U since launch, then you're probably used to the waiting game. Most Wii U owners have been more than patient enough for a downpour of new software rather than the trickles we've received over the past nine months. Finally the drought is over with the release of Pikmin 3, and finally the release schedule has beefed up. There are a lot of exciting Wii U games coming forth this fall, this holiday season and next year. This list provides our readers with the titles that we want most that are coming to Nintendo's eighth generation system.

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10) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

A remastering of a game we played a decade or so ago isn't going to interest us much, but when it is a new and improved version of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, we can't just thumb our collective noses at it. Using new lighting including enough bloom for outdoor areas to give that tropical sun-drenched shine to islands, clever Miiverse functionality, and an updated take on the once tedious Triforce quest, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is shaping up to be just the taste of the Legend of Zelda series that fans have been desiring ever since they purchased their Wii Us. We know we're in that camp!

9) Rayman Legends

The first of a handful of third-party games on our list, Rayman Legends was originally due out way back in late February. Due to poor sales of Ubisoft's premier Wii U launch title, ZombiU, the publisher decided to delay the game to make it multi-platform. At first we were upset with this news, but seeing all of the added content the developers have included due to the delay make us really happy. We're also really happy that the Wii U version still appears to be the definitive version of the game, thanks to the touch screen and exclusive content, including the just announced Mario and Luigi costumes. (Though we're glad more people get to experience this game.)

8) Sonic Lost World

Back in the Super Nintendo/Genesis playground wars over which system was superior, you would have been called some very naughty names had you said that one day Sonic the Hedgehog would appear on a Nintendo platform. You would have probably been beat up if you said that the developer hopes that this Sonic game will revive Nintendo's system. Those playground squabbles get violent fast, after all. Borrowing a page from Super Mario Galaxy, Sonic Lost World defies gravity for an extra dose of amazing fun and fantastical level design that many players of demos seem to be enjoying. We cannot express how glad we are that Sonic Team has finally come to terms as to how to create a satisfying 3D Sonic. They've done it with Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations, so hopefully they can pull off the hat trick with Sonic Lost World, only for Nintendo Wii U.

7) The Wonderful 101

This morning we caught a humorous glimpse at Platinum Games' Hideki Kamiya performing the same mannerisms of Nintendo president Satoru Iwata for the special Nintendo Direct featuring The Wonderful 101. Unite, wonder-eyes and take down the alien robotic menace that threatens the peace-loving people of our world. The Wonderful 101 has players taking command of a superhero squad, using the Wii U GamePad to draw symbols to summon high-powered weaponry like fists, swords, guns and whips to demolish foes with ease. As would be expected of a Platinum Games title, there is a great layer of depth in the gameplay to be had, and you can bet that the colorful stylized world of The Wonderful 101 is one that you'll want to return to over and over again.

6) Bayonetta 2

One of the most embarrassing events of last year for the gaming industry (and there are sadly so many to mention) was the reaction to Bayonetta 2 becoming a Nintendo Wii U exclusive. There were death threats, people who would rather see the game not exist at all rather than be exclusive to Nintendo (these people are known as pathetic console warriors), and other immature behavior that did the industry no favors in making people take our hobby seriously. Regardless, without Nintendo's support, Bayonetta 2 would simply not exist. We're glad that the high-heeled femme fatale has returned, and boy is she looking phenomenal. We're ready to take down demons, monsters and enemies of all shapes and sizes when Bayonetta 2 smashes onto the Wii U next year.

5) Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

While most of gamer-dom wanted Retro Studios to be working on a new Metroid, we were absolutely elated to discover that the developer had chosen to work on a sequel to one of the greatest platformers of the past generation (and of all time), Donkey Kong Country Returns. Now, the team is at it again with Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, adding underwater segments, dynamic camera angles, a new enemy threat, and playable Dixie Kong. We're anxiously awaiting seeing more footage of Tropical Freeze and see just how stellar Retro Studios' masterful level design carries over to this new game. It is a grand year to be a platformer fan, and if you own a Wii U and are like us, then you will be in heaven this year.

4) Super Mario 3D World

Super Mario 3D Land on the Nintendo 3DS was an excellent merging of gameplay styles of the Mario series. It had the move set of the 3D games, while bringing the linear obstacle courses of the 2D games. The end result was a combination that rocked our worlds. Speaking of worlds, Super Mario 3D World is set to release this December for the Wii U, and being able to play a 3D Mario with friends and family is a concept that enthuses us to no end. The all-new Cat Suit looks absolutely adorable and opens up the level design exponentially. We are also liking how each playable character controls differently, much like Super Mario Bros. 2 (USA version). Many fun times and sleepless nights will no doubt be had as we mess with one another's jumps, causing "accidental" deaths and the kind of entertainment you can't just get anywhere.

3) X

Still a code name for Monolith Soft's epic RPG project for the Wii U, X is one of the most impressive looking games from a technological standpoint. Then, when you factor in giant colossal mecha robots (which you can enter and exit in an instant), behemoth-sized beasts and lands that stretch out as far as the eye can see, and you can probably realize why so many are hyped for whatever X will eventually turn out to be named. It also doesn't hurt that this team's last game was one of the best RPGs ever devised, Xenoblade Chronicles. We're chomping at the proverbial bit to find out more about Monolith Soft's ambitious title.

2) Mario Kart 8

Another great looking title from a technological standpoint is Mario Kart 8. After the less-than-impressive-looking Mario Kart Wii, it seems the development team has something to prove graphics-wise, and they are certainly proving it with the clean and colorful visuals of Mario Kart 8. Although the game is due out next spring, we do have details that we know of. The most obvious is that anti-gravity a la F-Zero will be a huge part of the gameplay and track design. The Mario Kart series has some of the best track design of any kart racer, so seeing what the development team will do when they're no longer tied down to the laws of gravity is something that is really exciting. Spring 2014 is such a long time to wait for Mario Kart 8, but we're most certainly sure it will be worth it.

1) Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

The top three games on this list are the furthest away for Wii U owners, being 2014 releases. That said, we're constantly getting new screenshots on a daily basis straight from the creator of the Super Smash Bros. series himself, Masahiro Sakurai. We are in love with both versions of the game, the Wii U and 3DS versions, but the Wii U game has us most interested. While the current roster is on the light side, we are pleased with the inclusions thus far. Then you have the stage design, which is looking rather excellent and should deliver plenty of fun for players. Super Smash Bros. Brawl is without a doubt our most played game of the past generation, and we're eager to invest more of the days of our lives into this new Smash Bros. game.